One Standard, One Team: Women in Combat, Sabotage, and the Strength to Keep Fighting

By Shawn Havens | The Arrogant Independent

Issue Summary:

For over a decade, women have served in U.S. combat arms roles under gender-neutral standards. Yet in 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of those standards, reigniting national debate over whether combat readiness has been compromised for the sake of inclusion. The evidence? It overwhelmingly supports the integrity of current standards and the performance of women who meet them.

But this conversation goes beyond policy. This is also the story of what it means to be sabotaged, stalked, and silenced—yet still advocate for fairness, even for those who resemble your oppressors. In this episode, veteran and advocate Shawn Havens shares hard truths about being targeted, betrayed, and misrepresented, and why he continues to fight for justice—not bitterness.

Listen to the Full Podcast: Audio Monologue: One Standard, One Fight (Personal Reflection) https://drive.google.com/.../1xf2ollNTQeOR3ds0VeQ.../view...Read the Full Investigative Report:Investigative Report: Reviews and Reality of Women in U.S. Combat Roles https://docs.google.com/.../1fA0PktDMUYHX6STtyUSa.../edit... Audio Edition: Women in Combat Report https://drive.google.com/.../1mgAeuw041zg2uiGJBm7.../view...

“I was poisoned. I was stalked. I was digitally tracked and psychologically manipulated. But even after everything I’ve been through—even after being targeted in ways meant to break me—I still advocate for women in combat. Because I don’t let hatred shape my justice. I stand for those who meet the standard. Always.” - Shawn Havens